Apparatus for removing meltable metal from articles



June 10, 1947. P K 2,421,804

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING MELTABLE METAL FROM ARTICLES F iled Oct. 51, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Gaess R BQEK, Q2

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June 10, 1947. G, R. ARK 2,421,804

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING MEL'I'ABLE METAL FROM ARTICLES Filed Oct. 31, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 h 2/ a2 a0 24 v II 1.

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6 l A l2 47 I T j /3 o Inventor 55 660,965 A. PARK, .4. v

1 0, 1947. G. R. PARK 2" APPARATUS FOR REMOVING MELTABLE METAL FROM ARTICLES Filed Oct. 31, 1944 5 sheets sheet 5 k Patented June 10, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR REMOVING MELTABLE METAL FROM ARTICLES George R. Park, Monaca, Pa.

Application October 31, 1944, Serial No. 561,302

6 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for removing meltable metal from articles and more particularly to the removal of Babbitt metal from such devices as babbitted [bearings or the like to prepar them for re-babbitting.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved device comprising a heated tank, adapted for improved removal of such worn Babbitt metal.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of such a tank, provided with pumping means in association therewith, whereby the recovered bab-bitt may be readily removed from the tank and reutilized in molten state.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention it may here be pointed out that prior to the method and apparatus herein described customary method of removing worn babloitt fro 'blabbitt bearings or the like required the removal of the metal from the bearing shell with a torch. The cooled babbitt was then scraped off the floor or similar locality, and remelted, for reutilization. Such method required not only the remelting of the Babbitt metal but the retreatment of the shell, including re-tinning and reheating the same before a new bearing could be poured. The instant invention contemplates the removal of worn Babbitt metal by the introduction of the bearing or the like into a bath of molten Babbitt metal, whereby the molten babbitt removes the old lbabbitt in its entirety Without harmful effect on the tinned surface of the bearing shell. The old ldabbitt is then. in a molten state, in the tank and ready for immediate reuse. Correspondingly, the bearing shell needs nofurther preparation .being already heated and ready for re-pouring. Thus it will be seen that the instant appanatus obviates several hithertoimportant difficulties in the removal and rebabbitting of bearings or analogous devices.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred form of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of tank constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 of Figure 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of one form of pumping apparatus utilized in conjunction with the instant invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, and

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4 but disclosing a modified form of construction.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

. Having reference now to the drawings, there is shown at l6 9, suitable metal tank having a semicylindrical bottom portion ll adapted to be carried by suitable arcuate members l2 supported by heavy duty supports [3, beneath which arouate bottom is positioned a suitable heating unit [4 of any desired type, as for example, a gas burner or electrical heating element. One extremity of the tank is provided with an inclined surface l5 of generally conical form terminating at its upper edge in an arcuate rim l6, and a partition I! is positioned across the tank at its junction with the conical portion to form a working bay in which the pump mechanism is housed.

Pivotally mounted as at 21 on an arm 2|] extending upwardly from the partition I! midway of its length, is a. rock arm 22, to the extremities of which are pivotally secured as by pivots 23 legs 24 having their opposite extremities pivotally secured as by pivots 25 to levers 26. Levers 26 are, in turn, secured as by pivots 21 to the side walls of the tank [0 and terminate in operating handles 28.

As best shown in Figure 4, the rock arm 22 has pivotally secured thereto between the pivot.2l and its extremities, as by pivots 30, piston rods 3| the opposite extremities of which are secured as by pivots 32 to pumps generally indicated at 33 each comprising upper and lower telescoping cylinders 34 and 35, the arrangement beingv such that the cylinders 34 are adapted to reciprocate upwardly and downwardly on the cylinders 35 as the arm 32 is rocked about its pivot 2|. The cylinders 34 of the pumps are provided with inlet ports 39 to which inverted L-shaped inlet tubes 36 are connected. Supported for vertical sliding movement on pins 38 suspended from the end Wall of each cylinder 34 is an upper flap valve which when the cylinder 34 is moved downwardly closes the port 39. A lower flap valve 40 is mounted for vertical movement on pins 4| which extend through suitable apertures in the bottom wall 42 of the cylinder 35. This wall .42 is formed with a discharge port 43. The lower ends of the cylinders 35 are threaded into sockets formed on blocks 45 mounted on the base of the tank l0, and communicate through pipe 44 with a common outlet 46 comprising a T from which a pipe 41 leads upwardly and over the rim of the tank.

A suitable needle valve generally indicated at '50 comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket 52 in which a pointed valve stem 53 having a handle 5| is threaded in such a manner as to open and close a vent or aperture in the pipe 41. This 3 valve 50 is positioned immediately adjacent the exterior of the tank.

Suitable apertures 55 are provided, as best shown in Figure 4, near the bottom of partition I1 to permit the passage of metal therethrough so that the level of the metal in the working bay will equal that in the tank.

From the foregoing the operation of the device should now be readily understandable. Babbitt metal is first introduced in the tank I on the side of the partition I! away from the pump members 33, and the heater l4 energized to melt the same. Suitable thermostatic controls, as for example any desired type of pyrometer may serve to energize and deenergize the heater as desired.

When the Babbitt metal in the tank [0 has reached the desired degree of heat the bearing or the like from which it is desired to remove the Babbitt metal is introduced into the tank 10, whereupon the metal thereon Will melt and readil flow therefrom thus increasing the supply of molten metal. When it is then desired to remove themetal from the tank H] for rebabbitting other bearings or that from which the metal has just been melted, the pumps 33 are energized by actuating the handles 28, whereupon the fluid metal flows through the inlet tubes 36 into the pumps 33 and out through the pipes 44 and 41. A suitable syphon tube 15 may extend, from pipe 41 to apoint below the level of tank H! to a mold or the'ilike, in which case a syphon effect is produced and the operation of the pumps may be discontinued after the first few strokes. When the mold is full the flow of metal may be stopped 23 breaking the syphon suction by opening valve Obviously, the position of the apertures 55 permit only clean metal to pass through the pumps 33, as any dirt, grease or the like deposited in the tank during the melting operation will rise to the surface of the fluid on the side of the partition ll, opposite the working bay and may be readily removed by'skimming. Heavier particles will fall to the bottom of the tank below the level of the openings 55 where they will remain undisturbed until the device is shut down for cleaning.

"In the modification disclosed in Figure 7, a similar tank in provided with a partition I1 is employed. Upon the partition are mounted two supports 63; carrying in suitable bearings 6| a crank shaft 62, carrying at one end a drive pulley 63"adapted to be connected with any suitable source of power. Connected to the crank arms of the crank shaft 62 are the piston rods 64 of pumps 65,. each comprised of upper and lower telescopiccylinders 66 and 61, respectively. Each cylinder 66 is provided with an inlet port 68 adjacent which a pivotally mounted flap valve B9'is secured. The bottom walls H! of the lower cylinders are provided with outlet ports adjacent which pivotally mounted flap valves H are secured, the arrangement being such that the upper. valves 69 are closed on the compression strokes of the pumps and opened on the intake stroke, .and the lower valves 'H operated in the reverse" manner, whereby fluid is forced through outlet pipes 72 to a main outlet pipe 13 positioned in a manner similar to the pipes 44, 46.

,The mode of operation of this latter apparatus is substantially identical to that previously described."

Now from the foregoing it will be seen that there is herein provided an apparatus accomplishing all the objects of this invention and others including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Apparatus comprising a tank having a working bay separated from th main portion of the tank by a partition wall, said bay having a rim of a height equal to the height of the tank, said tan-k being adapted to contain molten metal into which articles having adhering meltable metal are adapted to be immersed, the partition wall having submerged openings through which molten metal from the tank enters the bay, pumps submerged in the molten metal in the working bay for expelling molten metal therefrom and a syphon tube connected to the pumps through which molten metal may be extracted from the bay.

2. Apparatus comprising a tank having a working bay separated from the main portion of the tank by a partition wall, said bay having a rim of a height equal to the height of the tank, said tank being adapted to contain molten metal into which articles having adhering meltable metal are adapted to be immersed, the partition wall having submerged openings through which molten metal from the tank enters the bay, pumps submerged in the molten metal in the working bay for expelling molten metal therefrom, a syphon tube connected to the pumps through which molten, metal may be extracted from the bay and a valved vent in the syphon tube for breaking the syphoning effect thereof.

3. Apparatus comprising atank having aworking 'bay separated from the main portion of the tank by a partition wall, said bay having a rim of a height equal to the height of the tank, said tank being adapted to contain molten metal into which articles having adhering meltable metals are adapted to be immersed, the partition wall having submerged openings through which molten metal from the tank enters the bay, pumps submerged in the molten metal in the working bay, a discharge pipe connected to the dischargeports of the pumps for directing molten metal discharged from the pumps over the rim of said bay, and a syphon tube connected to the discharge pipe through which molten metal may be extracted from the bay.

4. Apparatus comprising a tank having a working bay separated from the main portion of the tank by a partition-wall, said bay having a rim of a height equal to the height of the tank, said tank being adapted to contain molten metal into which a bearing box containing a worn or defective bab-bitt bearing isadapted to be immersed, the partition wall having submerged openings through which'molten metal from the tank enters the bay, pumps submerged in the molten metal in the working bay, a discharge pipe connected to the discharge ports of the pumps for directing molten metal discharged from the pumps over the rimof said bay, a syphon tube connected to the discharge pipe through which molten metal may be extracted from the bay and a valved vent adjacent the junction of the discharge pipe and the syphon tube for breaking the syphoning effect of said syphon tube. 3

5. Apparatus comprising a 'tank having a Working bay separated from the main portion of the tank by a partition wall, said bay having a rim of a height equal to the height of the tank, said tank being adapted to contain molten metal into which articles having adhering melt-able metal are adapted to be immersed, the partition wall having submerged openings through which molten metal from the tank enters the bay, reciprocating pumps submerged in the molten metal in the working bay, means operable through the molten metal in said bay for operatingsaid pumps to expel molten metal from said bay, a discharge pipe connected to the discharge ports of said pumps for directing molten metal discharged from the pumps over the rim of said bay and a syphon tube connected to the discharge end of said discharge pipe.

6. Apparatus comprising a tank having a working bay separated from the main portion of the tank by a partition wall, said bay having a rim of a height equal to the height of the tank, said tank being adapted to contain molten metal into which articles having adhering meltable metal are adapted to be immersed, the partition wall having submerged openings through which molten metal from the tank enters the bay, reciprocating pumps submerged in the molten metal in the working bay,

means operable end of said discharge pipe and a valved vent in the discharge pipe near its junction with the syphon tube.

GEORGE R. PARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Deniston Apr. 25, 1893 Otis June 5, 1928 Bahney et a1 Mar. 26, 1940 North Dec. 18, 1906 Tharaldsen Sept. 2, 1941 Harris July '24, 1866 Vaughn Feb. 28, 1893 Harbert Nov. 26, 1901 

